Eckelmann is expanding its range with OEM solutions for plug-in refrigeration cabinets.

The company presented a prototype of the new Virtus Case Controller Plug-In series at Chillventa 2018 and says the modular electronic solution can be adapted exactly to the type of cabinet – from the hardware to the connections for sensors and actuators to customer-specific function and software adaptations.

The move is designed to expand the product portfolio on offer in the HVAC market, consolidating Carel's role as a supplier of complete solutions to manufacturers of air handling units and providing them with improved solutions in terms of performance and energy efficiency.

Francesco Nalini, chief executive officer of the group, said: "The transaction is an expression of a particularly important strategic direction, that of growth through M&A, to which Carel is paying and will continue to pay particular attention over the coming quarters. The integration with dynamic, cutting edge and complementary companies with respect to our business will be an accelerator of development that will be accompanied by organic growth, the latter based on the characteristics that have always distinguished us: innovation, energy efficiency and customer care."

BSRIA will showcase its market knowledge and introduce its membership services at the new HVAC R Expo, part of the Big 5 construction exhibition, at the Dubai World Trade Centre in the UAE next week.

In a presentation on Monday (26 November), senior research manager Saziye Dicksonwill look at how the Middle East market is evolving. She said: “The growing focus on energy efficiency was evident in the sales of inverter air conditioning units in the region this year and it is expected to accelerate in the next couple of years.

Conex Bänninger has appointed Nick Ryan as specification manager for Australia and the South Pacific. He has extensive experience within the ACR sector, having worked for Conex Bänninger’s partner, the Australian plumbing and bathroom supplier, Reece Group.

He said: “I’m delighted to be joining the Australia and South Pacific team and look forward to building on the fantastic work already done to make Conex Bänninger the ‘go to’ press fittings brand. One major objective for me will be to develop new, as well as existing, relationships with contractors and specifiers to grow our market share even further. Another will be promoting the advantages of our innovative >B< MaxiPro press-fit fitting for ACR applications, supporting customers during the installation process and working with my team on industry roadshows.”

From left, Rainer Große-Kracht, member of the management board and chief technology officer at BITZER, Dr Horst Peter Wurm, managing partner of the new Wurm Holding GmbH, and Frank Hartmann, member of the management board and chief financial officer at BITZER

BITZER and automation expert Wurm have signed a joint venture agreement in which the compressor manufacturer will become the majority shareholder of the newly established Wurm Holding GmbH.

As a manufacturer of electronic system solutions for refrigeration, air conditioning and ventilation applications, all national and international Wurm companies will be integrated into the new holding company from January, subject to the approval of the competition authorities.

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released an update on China's illegal CFC-11 emissions crisis.

In the new report published to coincide with the 30th Montreal Protocol meeting in Ecuador, the EIA also called for a global ban on the use of disposable, non-refillable refrigerant cylinders, which are being used widely in the illegal HFC refrigerant trade across Europe.

Honeywell and Engie Axima have released official data on energy and cost savings achieved from a new cooling system for the Eurocontrol air traffic management organisation, which covers up to 36,000 commercial flights per day in European airspace.

The new system is designed to prevent overheating at Eurocontrol’s headquarters and flight management and data centre facilities in Brussels.

Honeywell has taken further action stop the sale and distribution of unlicensed versions of the its Solstice yf (R-1234yf) refrigerant wherever that activity occurs around the world by all legal means.

The latest move involved the seizure of unlicensed refrigerant and filing of lawsuits in both the Czech Republic and Germany. The lawsuits allege infringement of Honeywell patents covering the manufacture of 1234yf and its use in vehicle air conditioning.

Air conditioning, refrigeration and heat pump bodies across Europe have joined forces to call for proper enforcement of the F-Gas Regulation, with stricter border controls to halt the illegal import of refrigerants.

EPEE, representing the refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe, and three leading associations in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration sector – EFCTC, AREA and ADC3R – say refrigerants should only be bouight from reputable sources in order to ensure the safe and efficient operation of equipment.

After laying the foundation stone for the centre, Doug Murdock, president and CEO of Tecumseh Products Company, said: “We are very excited to expand our global product design and manufacturing capabilities. We are committed to supporting our customers throughout the world meet their rapidly changing local needs, industry regulations, and product requirements.”

Tecumseh began operations in India in 1997 and the new centre will join engineering labs in the US, France and Brazil to support an increased focus on research, development and customer applications.

Leak detection specialist Inficom has compiled a top 10 checklist of common leak testing errors that companies can avoid.

1: The wrong method for the test leak rateA common error in the water bath method is that the tester does not detect bubbles even though there is a leak. Problematic: A basic condition for the suitability of a leak testing or leak detection method is the leak rate limit. Often, however, companies do not pay attention to this in practice. For example, they examine plastic parts using the pressure drop method without considering their deformability and the change in volume caused by the compressed air. The leak rates of the integral leak testing and subsequent leak detection must match.

2: Incorrectly selected test time in the production processAt what point in the production process does leak testing make sense? This should be carefully considered. It is usually helpful to check partial components before assembly. If the pre-assembled components fail the series test, the effort is significantly higher - and the time invested in assembly is lost.

Logic Certification (LCL) has launched a new F-Gas qualification designed in association with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Industry Board (ACRIB).

The level 3 Award is designed to give professional Refrigeration, Air Condition and Heat Pump (RACHP) engineers involved in the application of flammable gases, a better understanding of the Health & Safety regulations relating to the planning, installation, commissioning and servicing of RACHP equipment.

Fujitsu General is to acquire a 51% share of Italian distributor FG Europe Italia in a deal worth 10 million euros.

The move will give Fujitsu General a presence in both distribution companies of its brands in Italy. FG Europe Italia is the official distributor of General brand equipment and Fujitsu General also has a 20% share in Eurofred Italy (official distributor of Fujitsu equipment).

​Compressor manufacturer Tecumseh has opened an office in Casablanca, Morocco, its first on the African continent.

François Bouillot, managing director, Tecumseh Europe, said the move was the beginning of a significant expansion plan in Africa and would place the business closer to its distributors and installers.

He said it was about "positioning the company as the commercial refrigeration leader in the region by building relationships with key partners."

The office will be headed by Elmouez Ben Romdhane, who has spent a decade as Africa and Turkey commercial director. Tecumseh will continue to offer a range of products including compressors, unit-coolers and traditional and outdoor condensing units.

GEA will showcase what it says is the world’s first semi-hermetic compact screw compressor for ammonia at Chillventa.

The CompaX, which was launched at Mostra in March, combines the GEA Grasso M series compressor, a suction gas-cooled electric motor, and an oil separator into a compact package without external wiring.